Gautam Gambhir approached by four IPL franchises for 2028 mentor or coaching role

Gautam Gambhir, head coach of the Indian cricket team, has been approached by four Indian Premier League franchises about a mentor or coaching role for the 2028 season, according to a report by Abhishek Tripathi of Dainik Jagran. Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals are among the teams that have already contacted him, while two other franchises have also shown interest.

The report says the quartet of franchises are weighing the possibility of appointing Gambhir as a mentor or coach for IPL 2028, with some teams considering wider alterations to their coaching staff ahead of the next cycle. Gambhir previously served as a mentor with Kolkata Knight Riders and Lucknow Super Giants, experience the report cites as part of the reason for the current attention.

Gambhir has a long-standing association with Kolkata; he captained KKR to the IPL titles in 2012 and 2014. After retiring as a player, he returned to KKR as a mentor in 2024. Under his guidance the franchise won their third IPL title, ending a 10-year wait for the trophy.

Before his 2024 return to KKR, Gambhir worked with Lucknow Super Giants in the 2022 and 2023 seasons. LSG reached the playoffs in both 2022 and 2023 while he was part of their setup. The report describes his spells with KKR and LSG as successful and says that record has made him an attractive option for franchises.

The two interested franchises that were not named in the report are described only in broad terms: one is referred to as a champion franchise in IPL history and the other as still seeking a maiden title. That description has prompted speculation in some quarters that the champion side could be Chennai Super Kings or Mumbai Indians, while Delhi Capitals, Punjab Kings and Lucknow Super Giants have been mentioned as possible options for the fourth suitor, though none of those interests has been confirmed.

Gambhir’s participation in IPL 2028 would depend on his contract with the Board of Control for Cricket in India; his current tenure as India head coach is scheduled to end after the 2027 ODI World Cup, which will be held in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.